What is Rejuvenating South Lansing?
Rejuvenating South Lansing focuses on bringing people together to share information, network, and work on problems and solutions together. Our energies are focused on making positive changes to improve the quality of life for our residents, businesses, and create a safe environment. It does not endorse political candidates or businesses, nor does it replace any of the fantastic groups in South Lansing that are already doing so much for their neighborhoods and the area.
What about other parts of the city?
We also try to support neighborhoods in other part of the city. Many of the issues we face are not unique to our area. Ordinances and strategies can apply to all of us. If we can solve problems for more than just our area we are happy to do so. People from North and South Lansing attend our meetings and are welcomed with open arms as we work together.
How was this Group Started?
It started in the Fall of 2014 by a few South Lansing residents who love South Lansing. They wanted to make some positive changes to improve the quality of life for our residents and businesses. The facilitator had attended a community meeting and spoke about issues facing South Lansing. Other people came to her and said they were interested in the same issues and they had their first brainstorming meeting with residents and various community leaders.
Who is Facilitating this Group?
The facilitator of Rejuvenating Lansing is Elaine Womboldt. She and her husband have lived in the same home in South Lansing since 1971. They are the grand parents of 4 “perfect” grandchildren and 2 adult children and their spouses. Elaine is also a Neighborhood Watch Coordinator and member of the City of Lansing’s AD HOC Diversity and Inclusion Committee. She volunteers for various organizations and causes. She graduated from Lansing Community College’s, “Community Leadership Academy”. She was the founder and president of a 501(C)3-Non-profit organization for 15 years called Learning Disabilities-Families And Friends, Inc. She served as a full time volunteer with this group and managed a volunteer staff committed to helping people with unique learning styles. She also worked in the Lansing School System, City of Lansing, Lansing Community College as well as other jobs.
Who else is helping with this Group?
Our Social Media Outreach Coordinator is Melissa Quon Huber. Originally from Goshen, Indiana she came to MSU for graduate school and ended up making Lansing her home. She received her MA and PhD from MSU in Community Psychology and continues to work for MSU. She has been involved in community development and youth development research and outreach for over twenty years. She has lived in South Lansing since 1993. She lives with her husband (an urban planner from California whom she met at graduate school), their children, fish, hermit crab, and rabbit, (and perhaps chickens next year!) in the lovely Averill Woods Neighborhood where she currently serves as president of the neighborhood association. She also provides communication and web support for the Lansing Youth Gardening Coalition, Lansing Neighborhood Council, her family's landscaping business, and the Greater Lansing Inclusive Homeschool Groups. She loves to garden, advocating for organic and natural yards. She is an ardent supporter of her local schools while also homeschooling and promoting alternative K-12 education approaches that build on students' innate desire to learn.
Adam Hussain is a Support Assistant for Rejuvenating South Lansing. Adam has represented RSL at a variety of meetings including those related to South Lansing concerns and ideas for our parks. Adam is a lifelong resident of Southwest Lansing, having graduated from Lansing Easter High School and is now an 8th grade social studies teacher. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Education from Michigan State University and a Master's Degree in Education Administration from Central Michigan University. Adam has been active in the community, serving as President of the Colonial Cooperative Board of Directors, Neighborhood watch coordinator, 3rd Ward representative for the City of Lansing Parks Board for five years, and Vice President of the City of Lansing Parks Board for the last two years.
Carol Wood has served on Lansing City Council since 1999 and has been a neighborhood advocate and community organizer many years. Having graduated from Sexton, she returned to Lansing after a brief time in Anchorage and since 1989 has lived in the neighborhood where she grew up. She has served on numerous boards, has held many leadership positions, and worked on numerous initiatives related to code compliance, policing, and housing in Lansing. She has two sons and four granddaughters. All members of Lansing City Council were invited to attend Rejuvenating South Lansing meetings from the beginning and Carol was the only one to heed the call. She has been integral to RSL since its inception, providing support, assistance, and information sharing. All council members and other local elected officials continue to be sent meeting notifications and are welcome to attend our meetings.
Adam Hussain is a Support Assistant for Rejuvenating South Lansing. Adam has represented RSL at a variety of meetings including those related to South Lansing concerns and ideas for our parks. Adam is a lifelong resident of Southwest Lansing, having graduated from Lansing Easter High School and is now an 8th grade social studies teacher. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Education from Michigan State University and a Master's Degree in Education Administration from Central Michigan University. Adam has been active in the community, serving as President of the Colonial Cooperative Board of Directors, Neighborhood watch coordinator, 3rd Ward representative for the City of Lansing Parks Board for five years, and Vice President of the City of Lansing Parks Board for the last two years.
Carol Wood has served on Lansing City Council since 1999 and has been a neighborhood advocate and community organizer many years. Having graduated from Sexton, she returned to Lansing after a brief time in Anchorage and since 1989 has lived in the neighborhood where she grew up. She has served on numerous boards, has held many leadership positions, and worked on numerous initiatives related to code compliance, policing, and housing in Lansing. She has two sons and four granddaughters. All members of Lansing City Council were invited to attend Rejuvenating South Lansing meetings from the beginning and Carol was the only one to heed the call. She has been integral to RSL since its inception, providing support, assistance, and information sharing. All council members and other local elected officials continue to be sent meeting notifications and are welcome to attend our meetings.